Champ Car to use standing starts

The switch follows on from the Champ Car Atlantic Championship successfully doing likewise this season. Not only were there no reliability issues, but also there was a notable drop in first-corner-first-lap shunts, with drivers arriving at the braking zone at a lower speed.

For Champ Cars' standing start, the field will line up in their grid positions where the drivers will see a 15-second board once all cars are in position. A series of red lights will illuminate one by one until all the lights are lit, and the race will start once the red lights go out.

Series organisers have stated that they will introduce standing starts 'at venues where the starting procedure can be accommodated in a safe manner', and the first of these is likely to be the season-opener at the new street course in Las Vegas.

"This should provide a very exciting start to our races," said Champ Car Vice-President of Operations Tony Cotman. "Unlike Formula One, where they have traction control, the success of the standing starts in Champ Car will be up to the skill of the individual drivers."

The change in starting procedure is one of a raft of changes that Champ Car is introducing in 2007.

The next most significant is that all races will be timed, rather than run to a proscribed number of laps.

This will counteract the criticism the series has faced on occasion in the recent past where races have switched from a set number of laps to a timed race in order to fit into the television schedule. Such instances have occurred in events blighted by frequent or long yellow-flag periods.

In 2007, as the finish time of the race approaches, a signal indicating one lap to go will be displayed to the field, with the race ending the next time the leader crosses the start/finish line.

The white flag will not be shown from the starter's stand and will be used more in line with international FIA guidelines around the course.

In an effort to promote more on-track action in practice and qualifying sessions, the rules on tyre usage during a weekend have been changed.

Previously a team could only use four sets of tyres during any qualifying session. Now the teams have unlimited use of their weekend allotment during a session, although the rules concerning the mandatory use of one set of alternate Bridgestones - the red-walled softer compound - during a race is still in effect.

The rule regarding use of spare cars has been changed as well. A driver can use only one car in any practice or qualifying session.

In addition, going to a spare car after the primary car has been qualified will result in the forfeiture of the qualifying time for that entry, meaning that a change after warm-up on race day will result in that entry starting from the rear of the field.

Champ Car President Steve Johnson declared: "This is a very important year for Champ Car, and these rule changes will provide a competitive atmosphere that will allow our world-class teams and drivers to put on a great show for our fans around the world.

"We are always looking for new ways to bring excitement to the series and these rule changes are another positive step toward that goal."